Business and Science Degrees Gives Alumna a Competitive Edge in Her Career

At the start of her career at University of the Sciences, YelenaYankovskaya PharmD’12, MBA’14 was a student at the pharmacy school. After picking up some business
credits to fill space in her schedule, she fell in love with the coursework and changed
direction to put her on the path to working on the business side of healthcare.

Dr. Yankovskaya continued pursuing her degree in pharmacy. Upon completion, she immediately
enrolled in the University’s Mayes College of Healthcare Business and Policy where
she went on to get her MBA two years later.

“Both of my degrees set me up for success in my career, because I got exposure to
a wide range of opportunities to learn and try new things,” said Dr. Yankovskaya.
“Through Mayes College, I got to do a managed markets fellowship, which led to Genentech
where I work now in managed care marketing. Having this unique perspective is valuable
and I also know that at any time I can go back to practicing pharmacy in a direct
patient care setting.”

At Genentech, Dr. Yankovskaya manages a team of account managers who work directly
with their customers. She acts as a strategic partner to her account managers, connecting
them with information about Genentech’s available products.

“We need to make sure our people are equipped to convey the value of our medicines
to these customers so ultimately it can have a positive impact on the patients,” said
Dr. Yankovskaya.

Dr. Yankovskaya’s pharmacy background helps her to better understand the foundations
of the science behind Genentech’s products, which in turn helps her determine the
best products for prospective patients.

“Patients are at the core of everything we do here. We talk about how the decisions
we make will impact patients,” said Dr. Yankovskaya. “Because I have that additional
perspective, it can enrich the conversation.”

From her time at USciences, Dr. Yankovskaya fondly remembers the community of both
the university and the surrounding neighborhood.

“My most vivid memory is from my first time visiting the campus. I had never been
to this part of Philadelphia and I was really excited by the history in the area,
by the architecture and the people that call west Philadelphia their home,” said Dr.
Yankovskaya. “It was great to be a part of such a diverse community while going to
school.”

One of Yankovskaya’s most memorable experiences was a communications class with Assistant
Professor of Communications Kenneth Leibowitz, MA, where she received lasting advice for both her personal and professional life.

“One of the things he taught in the class really stuck with me. He mentioned this
concept of relationship culture,” recalled Dr. Yankovskaya. “Everyone’s relationship
is different, and it’s important to be mindful and not judge.”